FLORENCE, Alabama -- A Lauderdale County man has pleaded not guilty by reason of mental defect in a capital murder trial, reports The Times' news partner, WHNT News 19.

Shannon Paul Brewer (Contributed by WHNT News 19)

Shannon Paul Brewer, 24, is charged with the murder of 49-year-old Mark Allen Dishon in November 2012. He entered the plea during his arraignment Wednesday, WHNT reports.

Brewer's defense attorneys also filed a motion to sever additional charges of assault and theft from this case. Circuit Judge Mike Jones said he will schedule a hearing on this motion soon, WHNT reports.